New Albuquerque mayor Tim Keller can't be too happy with his predecessor now. Not only is his city facing a budget deficit of about $10 million, but the city still hasn't received $75 million in federal money to help pay for the now-completed Albuquerque Rapid Transit project more than a year after it began construction. … Continue reading Albuquerque still waiting for ART grant from feds
Category: Towns
Nob Hill visitors center in Albuquerque opens
The historic Nob Hill neighborhood of Albuquerque over the weekend opened a visitors center to tell tourists about the area's history through photos and interactive maps. The Nob Hill visitors center is in the Re-Max Select building on Central Avenue (aka Route 66) just west of Carlisle Boulevard. According to KOB-TV: Mayor Tim Keller said … Continue reading Nob Hill visitors center in Albuquerque opens
Why historic preservation is important to future tourism
Joplin, Missouri, for years has sought to boost Route 66 tourism to its city. Officials there want more visitors to stay in the city for longer periods, thus generating more tax revenue. However, the Joplin Globe reported a Colorado-based consultant threw cold water on that idea -- mainly because the city doesn't have enough historic … Continue reading Why historic preservation is important to future tourism
Virden History Mural deemed irreparable, will be repainted instead
Residents of Virden, Illinois, had hoped last year to restore the deteriorating Virden History Mural along Route 66. However, the mural was deemed unsalvageable, and it will be repainted from scratch with a whole new design. Here is a preliminary artist's rendering of the soon-to-come mural: The husband-and-wife team of Bernie Gietl and D.L. Whitlock-Gietl of … Continue reading Virden History Mural deemed irreparable, will be repainted instead
Albuquerque Rapid Transit opens; buses are rolling
The controversial $119 million Albuquerque Rapid Transit bus project along Central Avenue (aka Route 66) began operation 13 months after construction began. Reporters and dignitaries boarded one of the all-electric buses for its maiden voyage Saturday. One of the buses running Saturday was a Route 66-themed vehicle. Mayor Richard Berry, who shepherded the ART project to … Continue reading Albuquerque Rapid Transit opens; buses are rolling
Marshfield to add signs to old alignment of Route 66
The city of Marshfield, Missouri, soon will add signs along the 1929 city alignment of Route 66. According to the Marshfield Mail, residents of the old Route 66 alignment of Pine Street in town had no objection to signing it. The newspaper reported from a city-council meeting: The committee members, who included Jill Phillips, Sheri … Continue reading Marshfield to add signs to old alignment of Route 66
Rocket launch over Amboy delayed
"Mad" Mike Hughes' scheduled launch today of his self-made rocket over the Route 66 town of Amboy, California, was delayed after the Bureau of Land Management nixed it, saying he didn't have permission. However, Hughes told the Washington Post he would launch the rocket -- with him inside -- sometime next week on private property … Continue reading Rocket launch over Amboy delayed
Albuquerque wants to create historic Route 66 inventory
The city of Albuquerque is considering a resolution to create an inventory of all buildings along Route 66 that are 50 years old and older to document and even preserve them. KRQE-TV in Albuquerque reports: The city said the building inventory would have a snapshot of the building, information about it, building materials used, as … Continue reading Albuquerque wants to create historic Route 66 inventory
Man plans to launch himself in rocket over Amboy on Saturday
A self-taught rocket scientist plans to launch his steam-powered creation -- with him inside -- over the Route 66 hamlet of Amboy, California, between 2 and 3 p.m. Saturday. According to the Santa Fe New Mexican, “Mad” Mike Hughes built his rocket in his garage from salvaged parts and about $20,000 of his own money. … Continue reading Man plans to launch himself in rocket over Amboy on Saturday
C-SPAN to feature Springfield, Missouri, in January
Residents of Springfield, Missouri, last week welcomed a film crew from C-SPAN that will feature the city during the cable network's C-SPAN Cities Tour of several medium-sized cities. Among the segments the nonprofit cable network featured were about Wild West figure Wild Bill Hickok, the Trail of Tears, Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield of the Civil … Continue reading C-SPAN to feature Springfield, Missouri, in January